JODY HAWKINS FROM KEYNSHAM SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES IN BRISTOL

In a serious case that has shocked the community of Keynsham, Jody Hawkins has been sentenced to prison after being found guilty of multiple sexual offences involving minors and inappropriate conduct in public spaces. The incident that led to his arrest and subsequent conviction took place over a period of several months, culminating in a court hearing at Bristol Crown Court on Thursday, 29 June.

Hawkins, aged 41 and a resident of Keynsham, was brought to police attention initially in May of the previous year. The case began when a teenage girl was contacted directly by Hawkins in another part of the country. During this unsolicited communication, Hawkins engaged the girl in a sexual conversation and encouraged her to perform a sexual act on herself. Disturbingly, he also played a pornographic video of himself during the call. The girl, feeling uncomfortable and alarmed, refused to continue the conversation, hung up, and reported the incident to the authorities.

Further investigations revealed that Hawkins committed additional offences in late October, targeting four other victims. On one particular evening, he was caught in a female toilet block in Keynsham, where he exposed himself to a woman, causing her distress. Shortly afterward, he showed another woman an inappropriate private photograph of himself and again exposed himself in her presence. The same evening, two 16-year-old girls reported that Hawkins had attempted to initiate a sexual conversation with them and had shown them the same explicit photograph.

Hawkins was charged with multiple offences, including inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, causing a child to watch a sexual act, and two counts of indecent exposure. Additionally, he faced two charges of intentionally causing fear, harassment, alarm, or distress to his victims. During the court proceedings, Hawkins pleaded guilty to all seven charges.

The court sentenced him to two years and four months in prison for five of the offences. The remaining two charges of harassment are scheduled to be addressed at Bristol Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 5 July. As part of his sentence, Hawkins was also subjected to a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which aims to restrict his contact with victims and prevent further harm. Furthermore, a restraining order was issued to ensure he does not have any contact with those affected by his actions.

This case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat sexual offences and protect vulnerable individuals, especially minors, from predatory behavior. The community of Keynsham and the wider Bristol area continues to be vigilant in the wake of these disturbing incidents, and authorities remain committed to ensuring justice is served.